Reinforced concrete construction.



W. Bf HOUGH.

REINPORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED 111m. 11111l 1, 105,789. Patented Aug. 4, 19111 I I ll l I l l l l l l I I I MM2/055,236? Qzzzfn" d l ,MM [MMM/m l 50mg Z2,

cago, in the county ofCook and Stateof UNITED `S'IAJIEIS PATENT OFFICE.

B. HOUGH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TAXIS, ,0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURLANDONE-HALF TO METAL COMPANY, .A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

REINFOBCED CONCRETE CONS'.'LRUC'IIVON` To all whom 'it may concern Be itknown that I, WILLIAM B. HoUeH, a citizen of the United States, residingat Chr.

Illinois, have invented certain new and-usef ul Improvements inReinforced Concrete Construction, of 4which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in reinforced concreteconstruction and more particularly to an improved connection member forthe support, spacing and locking of the reinforcing bars.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection member whichembodies substantial improvements over known devices for the samegeneral purposes in a number of respects to be particularly pointed outas the description proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein- Figure 1 is a view showing the reinforcing bars inside elevation and the connection members in cross section. Fig. 2 is` aview showing the reinforcing bars in cross section and the connectionmembers in side .elevation and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing indetail the improved construction of connection members.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

The letter A designates the usual false floor or boxing which is removedafter the cement has set and from which the reinforcing bars B aresupported by the connection members C. The connection members C extendfor any desired distance, transversely of a number of bars B,constituting common supports therefor and being ar` ranged at suchintervals as' may be advantageous.

The member C consists of a sheet-metal strip formed at intervalscorresponding to the intervals of the reinforcing bars in the y mannershown more particularly in Fig. 3. The elements of the formation shownin Fig. 3 are a pair of supporting lugs l and a bar engaging strap 2arranged between lugs l. disposed longitudinally and of bow shapedlongitudinal curvature. In producing the format-ion aforesaid, twoparallel slits are formed in the member C, thus di- Specication ofLetters Patent.

Application tiled January 9, 1911'.` Serial No. 601,575.

.ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO FREDERICK C.

BU'IIJIIIINGl` yidiii'githe latter throughout the extentofithe slitsinto three separated parallel portions, the two at the side of the stripbeing indicated by a and the intermediaterorieI being indicated by b.The lugs l are arranged at points within the portions a, being producedby the formation of downward bights preferably coincidently located. Theformation of such bights results in proportionate lengthwisecontractions of the member C, which provide for bowing upwardly theintermediate longitudinal portion b thus forming the latter into thefinished strap 2 aforesaid.

In use the lugs 1 rest upon the false fioor or boxing A and thereinforcing bars which are threaded under the straps 2, are held spacedfrom the Hoor by said lugs and from one another by said straps. Thelatter have also the function of positive locks, serving the purpose ofpreventing any displacement whatever of the bars B.

The particular ad van tages of the improved construction are that thestraps 2, in addition to their spacing and locking functions serve asbraces to increase the stiffness of the connection member and thusprevent the bights, forming the supporting lugs from spreading oropening under the weight of the lreinforced bars; that the provision ofa pair of supporting lugs in connection with the intermediate strap addsto the stability of the arrangement; that the straps cannot be brokenoff in shipping; and that the formation of the lugs and the spacing andlocking strap does not weaken the member C to any material extent' sinceit involves no cross cutting of said member at any point.

The improvement is susceptible of slight modifications from the formdescribed, for which reason no specific description herein contained isintended to put any limitation upon the scope of the succeeding claimwhich does not inhere in the language thereof.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

In reinforced concrete construction, the combination of a plurality ofhorizontal reinforcing bars, and a combined tie and gage memberextendil'ig transversely of the bars and consisting of a strip of sheetmetal Ihaving); at points beneath said bars a pluratentaaug. 4., 1era.

vseveral short parallel strap-like portions separate from` one another'but integral at -each end with the main body of the strip, A'seidportions at each side of the strip being bent downwardly `from the planeof the body of the strip to formy legs adapted to rest at their lower.ends upon a form-work, and each having its upper `end underlying and'supporting one of said reinforcing bars, the main body of said stripLbeing substantrially straight and horizontal, and the incopies of thispatent may be obtained for ve cents. each, by addressing theCommissioner of latents,

termediate strap-like portions being bent upi wardly from the plane ofthe body and eac-h overlying 4and retaining one of said reinforcing barsin place on its supporting legs, whereby the supporting bars areproperly spaced from each other and from the form- Washington, D. C.

